Effective immediately, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is closing the gate to the parking lot at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to limit access to the area. Located along the eastern shoreline of Lake Ontario, the beach area is currently underwater with significant dune erosion. The dunes are fragile and easily impacted by human activity and therefore protected and off-limits to use at all times. Closure of the parking lot will limit safety concerns and reduce impact to the protected dunes. The boardwalk is also inundated in certain sections by as much as six inches of water, and is not safe for use at this time. The Black Pond WMA is a natural wetland complex consisting of dune, open water, emergent marsh, and wooded/shrub swamp. The area is a significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat.